Uv disinfectant system

ABSTRACT

A UV disinfectant system may include a chamber having a wall that is transparent to a disinfecting radiation. Liquid may be flowed through the chamber for treatment by exposure to the radiation. The chamber may include a static mixer having vanes to impede laminar flow of the liquid during treatment. The vanes extend into the flow path of the liquid through the chamber. A gap is defined between the vanes and the transparent wall. A cabinet may house the chamber and radiation emitting bulbs. Blowers may be operably coupled to a temperature sensor and flow meter and positioned at a lower end and upper end of the cabinet to urge air out of the cabinet. The temperature sensor may include a thermocouple. The blowers may be variable speed blowers. The system may include a controller to control system operations. The controller may be remotely accessible to monitor or control operations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/095,715 filed Oct. 23, 2018, which claims the benefit of the filingdate of, and priority to, International Patent Application No.PCT/US2016/029114 filed Apr. 25, 2016, the entire disclosures of whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates to disinfectant systems and control andmonitoring of disinfectant systems.

BACKGROUND

UV radiation may be used to disinfect clear or opaque liquids such aswater, including wastewater, juices, brines, marinades, beverages, andthe like. Examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,527,940 and 4,968,891 andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/542,793, the disclosures of whichare incorporated herein by reference. Using UV radiation to disinfectliquids offers many advantages that often make it a very attractiveoption as compared to other methods of disinfecting liquids. It willoften provide for improved disinfection in a fast, simple, relativelyinexpensive manner.

The effectiveness of UV radiation to disinfect a liquid diminishesrapidly with the distance that the radiation must pass through theliquid, so the surface of the liquid receives stronger radiation thanthe depths of the liquid. So under conditions of laminar flow,disinfection of the deeper liquid is less than disinfection of thesurface of the liquid. Furthermore, relying primarily upon naturalturbulence in a liquid to provide for even, thorough disinfection of theliquid can be unreliable.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a UV disinfectant system comprises a chamber and aplurality of ultraviolet light emitting bulbs. The chamber may have atleast one wall transparent to ultraviolet light and define a treatmentflow path for liquid to be treated with the ultraviolet light. Theplurality of ultraviolet light emitting bulbs may be positioned externalto the chamber, adjacent to the transparent wall to direct ultravioletlight into the chamber along the treatment flow path. The system mayfurther include an inflow port, outflow port, and pump. The inflow portmay be configured for passage of the liquid to be treated into thetreatment flow path. The outflow port may be configured for passage ofthe treated liquid from the treatment flow path to an outlet of thechamber. The pump may be configured for pumping the liquid through thechamber. The system may further include a static mixer positioned in thechamber and comprising a plurality of vanes extending into the treatmentflow path, dimensioned to disrupt laminar flow along the treatment flowpath. The treatment flow path may include a gap passing between at leastone of the vanes and the transparent wall. The system may furtherinclude a cabinet housing the chamber and bulbs and having an upper endand a lower end. A first blower may be positioned to drive airflow outof the cabinet at the lower end. A second blower may be positioned todrive airflow out of the cabinet at the upper end. A vent may enableairflow into the cabinet between the upper end and the lower end of thecabinet. An air temperature sensor may be configured to measure airtemperature at one or more locations within the cabinet. A liquidtemperature sensor may be configured to measure a liquid temperature atone or more locations within the chamber. A flow meter may be configuredto measure a flow rate of liquid at one or more locations within thechamber. The system may further include a controller operable to controloperations of the pump, bulbs, and blowers and operationally coupled tothe air temperature sensor, liquid temperature sensor, and flow meter toreceive collected measurement data. The controller comprises aprocessor, a computer-readable storage medium having instructions storedexecutable by the processor to perform the operations of the UVdisinfectant system, and a user interface operable to interface userswith the controller to view measurement data collected from the airtemperature sensor, liquid temperature sensor, and flow meter and tomodify at least one of power delivery to the bulbs, blower speed, orpump speed.

In another aspect, a UV disinfectant system comprises a chamber and aplurality of ultraviolet light emitting bulbs. The chamber may have atleast one wall transparent to ultraviolet light and defining a treatmentflow path for liquid to be treated with the ultraviolet light. Theplurality of ultraviolet light emitting bulbs may be positioned externalto the chamber, adjacent to the transparent wall to direct ultravioletlight into the chamber along the treatment flow path. The system mayfurther include an inflow port, outflow port, and pump. The inflow portmay be configured for passage the liquid to be treated into thetreatment flow path. The outflow port may be configured for passage thetreated liquid from the treatment flow path to an outlet of the chamber.The pump may be configured for pumping the liquid through the chamber.The system may further include a static mixer positioned in the chamberand comprising a plurality of vanes extending into the treatment flowpath, dimensioned to impede laminar flow along the treatment flow path.The treatment flow path may include a gap passing between at least oneof the vanes and the transparent wall.

In one embodiment, the chamber is defined between an outer wall of aninner tube and an inner wall of an outer tube, and wherein the outertube comprises the transparent wall. The vanes may extend from the outerwall of the inner tube. The gap may be defined between the vanes and theinner wall of the outer tube. The vanes may spiral around acircumference of the inner tube. In one configuration, the vanes do notextend completely around a circumference of the inner tube. At least onevane may extend around the circumference of the inner tube between about160 degrees and about 200 degrees. The vanes may be aligned along thelength of the treatment flow path. The vanes may be spaced apart betweenabout two feet and about three feet along the treatment flow path.Turbulence features may be located on a surface of at least one of thevanes to increase local turbulence. The turbulence features may compriseraised bumps along an interface of the inner tube and the vane. In stillanother aspect, a UV disinfectant system comprises a chamber and aplurality of ultraviolet light emitting bulbs. The chamber may have atleast one wall transparent to ultraviolet light and defining a treatmentflow path for liquid to be treated with the ultraviolet light. Theplurality of ultraviolet light emitting bulbs may be positioned externalto the chamber, adjacent to the transparent wall to direct ultravioletlight into the chamber along the treatment flow path. The system mayfurther include an inflow port, outflow port, and pump. The inflow portmay be configured for passage the liquid to be treated into thetreatment flow path. The outflow port may be configured for passage thetreated liquid from the treatment flow path to an outlet of the chamber.The pump may be configured for pumping the liquid through the chamber.The system may further include a static mixer positioned in the chamberand comprising a plurality of vanes extending into the treatment flowpath, dimensioned to impede laminar flow along the treatment flow path.The system may further include a cabinet housing the chamber and bulbsand having an upper end and a lower end. A first blower may bepositioned to drive airflow out of the cabinet at the lower end. Asecond blower may be positioned to drive airflow out of the cabinet atthe upper end. A vent may enable airflow into the cabinet between theupper end and the lower end of the cabinet.

The first blower and the second blower may be variable speed blowers.The system may further comprise a temperature sensor to measure an airtemperature in the cabinet. The first blower and second blower may beoperationally coupled to the temperatures sensor such that the speed ofthe first blower and the second blower increase in response to ameasured temperature above a set point temperature. The first blower andsecond blower may be operationally coupled to the temperatures sensorsuch that the speed of the first blower and the second blower decreasein response to a measured temperature below a set point temperature. Thetemperature sensor may comprise a thermocouple. The first blower may belocated in the lower end of the cabinet and the second blower may belocated in the upper end of the cabinet. The first blower may bepositioned to drive airflow out of the cabinet at the lower end in afirst direction and the second blower may be positioned to drive airflowout of the cabinet at the upper end in a second direction, and whereinthe first direction is opposite the first direction. The vent maycomprise a plurality of louvers.

In yet another aspect, a UV disinfectant system comprises a chamber anda plurality of ultraviolet light emitting bulbs. The chamber may have atleast one wall transparent to ultraviolet light and defining a treatmentflow path for liquid to be treated with the ultraviolet light. Theplurality of ultraviolet light emitting bulbs may be positioned externalto the chamber, adjacent to the transparent wall to direct ultravioletlight into the chamber along the treatment flow path. The system mayfurther include an inflow port, outflow port, and pump. The inflow portmay be configured for passage the liquid to be treated into thetreatment flow path. The outflow port may be configured for passage thetreated liquid from the treatment flow path to an outlet of the chamber.The pump may be configured for pumping the liquid through the chamber.The system may further include a static mixer positioned in the chamberand comprising a plurality of vanes extending into the treatment flowpath, dimensioned to impede laminar flow along the treatment flow path.The system may further include a cabinet housing the chamber and bulbs.

An air temperature sensor may be configured to measure air temperatureat one or more locations within the cabinet. A liquid temperature sensormay be configured to measure a liquid temperature at one or morelocations within the chamber. A flow meter may be configured to measurea flow rate of liquid at one or more locations within the chamber. Thesystem may further include a controller operable to control operationsof the pump, bulbs, and blowers and operationally coupled to the airtemperature sensor, liquid temperature sensor, and flow meter to receivecollected measurement data. The controller comprises a processor, acomputer-readable storage medium having instructions stored executableby the processor to perform the operations of the UV disinfectantsystem, and a user interface operable to interface users with thecontroller to view measurement data collected from the air temperaturesensor, liquid temperature sensor, and flow meter and to modify at leastone of power delivery to the bulbs, blower speed, or pump speed.

In one embodiment, the instructions stored in the computer-readablemedium comprise a plurality of set point conditions defining preferredoperational conditions comprising at least one of (a) an air temperatureat the one or more locations in the cabinet, (b) a liquid temperature atthe one or more locations within the chamber, (c) a flow rate at the oneor more locations within the chamber, or (d) an illumination of thebulbs. The instructions stored in the computer-readable medium matfurther include instructions to modify an operation of the UVdisinfectant system in response to a non-conforming set point condition.The computer-readable storage medium may include additional instructionsstored to modify an operation of the UV disinfectant system in responseto a non-conforming set point condition which result in the operationscomprising terminating power to the bulbs when at least one of (a) theflow meter measures no flow, (b) the air temperature sensor measures anair temperature higher than an air temperature set point, (c) the liquidtemperature sensor measures a liquid temperature higher than a liquidtemperature set point, or (d) the air temperature sensor measures an airtemperature lower than an air temperature set point. Thecomputer-readable storage medium may include additional instructionsstored to modify an operation of the UV disinfectant system in responseto a non-conforming set point condition which result in the operationscomprising at least one of terminating power to pump or reducing pumpspeed when the liquid temperature sensor measures a liquid temperaturebelow a liquid temperature set point, or supplying power to the pump orincreasing speed of the pump when the liquid temperature sensor measuresa liquid temperature above a liquid temperature set point. Thecomputer-readable storage medium may store additional instructionsstored to modify an operation of the UV disinfectant system in responseto a non-conforming set point condition which result in the operationscomprising supplying power to the blowers or increasing speed of theblowers when the air temperature sensor measures an air temperatureabove an air temperature set point. In one embodiment, the systemfurther comprises a control panel associated with the cabinet, whereinthe user interface comprises a local user interface provided on thecontrol panel. The user interface may comprise a remote user interfaceaccessible to a remote user device over a network, wherein the remoteuser interface is accessible by the remote user device to viewmeasurement data, and wherein the remote user interface is operable bythe remote user device to control an operation of the UV disinfectantsystem comprising at least one of (a) modifying power delivery to thebulbs to turn on or turn off the bulbs, (b) changing a speed ofoperation of the pump to modify a flow rate or temperature of the liquidpumped through the chamber, or (c) changing a speed of one or moreblowers to modify air temperature at one or more locations within thecabinet. The computer-readable storage medium may store additionalinstructions which when executed by the processor keeps track of anoperational life of the bulbs.

Embodiments of the present invention may be adapted for use with systemsto apply antimicrobial solution to food items, for example, raw chicken,to disinfect the antimicrobial solution before it is recycled for reusewithin the application system. Examples of aspects of such antimicrobialapplication systems are found in, for example, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/535,030; Ser. No. 14/471,846; Ser. No. 14/510,385; and Ser.No. 14/510,439, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein intheir entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features andadvantages will be more fully appreciated by reference to the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional, side elevation view of a treatment chamberforming part of a radiation treatment device for use in a UVdisinfectant system according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a sectional, overhead view of a radiation treatment device foruse in a UV disinfectant system according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a partial, side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of aradiation treatment device for use in a UV disinfectant system accordingto various embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a is a partial, sectional, overhead view of an alternateembodiment of a radiation treatment device for use in a UV disinfectantsystem according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5 is an overhead, perspective view of a parallel flow alignment ofa radiation treatment device for use in a UV disinfectant systemaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 6 is an overhead, perspective view of a series flow alignment of aradiation treatment device for use in a UV disinfectant system accordingto various embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a cabinet for housing a radiationtreatment device for use in a UV disinfectant system according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a partial, side elevation view of a cabinet for housing aradiation treatment device for use in a UV disinfectant system accordingto various embodiments;

FIG. 9A is an overhead, perspective view of a stationary mixer of aradiation treatment device of a UV disinfectant system according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 9B is a axial, perspective view of the stationary mixer shown inFIG. 9A according to various embodiments;

FIG. 10A is an overhead, perspective view of a stationary mixer of aradiation treatment device of a UV disinfectant system according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 10B is a axial, perspective view of the stationary mixer shown inFIG. 10A according to various embodiments;

FIG. 11 is a partial, sectional, overhead view of a mixer and bulbs of aradiation treatment device of a UV disinfectant system according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 12A is a front elevation view of a cabinet for housing a radiationtreatment device of a UV disinfectant system according to variousembodiments;

FIG. 12B is a front elevation view of the cabinet shown in FIG. 12A withthe door removed according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 13 schematically illustrates a control system of a UV disinfectantsystem according to various embodiments.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 , the reference numeral 10 refers in general to aradiation treatment device. The device 10 comprises a treatment chamber12 and a radiation source 14 disposed in close proximity thereto, shownin FIG. 4 . The treatment chamber 12 comprises a header 16, inner andouter tubes 18 and 20, a static mixer 22, and an end cap 24. The header16 has an outer housing 26, an inner header tube 28, an input pipe 30with an input opening 32, and an output pipe 34 with an output opening36. The outer housing 26 is open at the top, closed at the bottom, andhas two side openings disposed on opposite sides, with one side openingbeing larger than the other. A mount 38 is secured to the bottom wall ofthe outer housing 26. The input pipe is affixed to the outer housing 26,aligned with the larger of the two side openings. The output pipe 34 isaffixed to the outer housing 26 aligned with the smaller of the twoother side openings. The input and output pipes 30 and 34 both haveinner diameters of approximately 1.5 inches. The inner diameter of theoutput pipe 34 is larger than the diameter of the side opening. Theinner header tube 28 has an input opening centrally disposed andcoaxially aligned with the outer housing 26 and an output openingaligned with the smaller of the two side openings. The inner diameter ofthe inner header tube 28 is substantially the same as the diameter ofthis side opening. The header 16 is preferably made of stainless steeland is of clean in place construction. It is of course understood thatthe header 16 may be made of any number of different materials orcombinations of materials. It is also understood that the header 16 maybe assembled or fabricated from a number of different parts or may becast or molded as one or more integral pieces.

The outer tube 20 is made of a material that is transparent to UVradiation or to the type of radiation used. The outer tube 20 ispreferably constructed of a polymer, is more preferably constructed of afluoropolymer, and is most preferably constructed of fluorinatedethylene propylene. The outer tube may of course be constructed of anynumber of materials known to possess the desired degree of transparency.The outer tube 20 has a length of approximately 60 inches and has aninner diameter of approximately 1.25 inches. A lower portion of theouter tube 20 is secured to the header 16, such as by using a hose clamp40. The end cap 24 is affixed to an upper portion of the outer tube 20,such as by using a hose clamp 40. A lower surface 42 of the end cap 24is curved to assist in redirection of the liquid with minimal pressuredrop. The cap 24 is preferably stainless steel.

An output end of the inner tube 18 is affixed to the input end of theinner header tube 28, and the inner tube 18 extends coaxially alignedwithin the outer tube 20 along most if not all of the height, orlongitudinal length, of the outer tube 20. The inner tube 18 ispreferably stainless steel having an inner diameter of substantiallywithin a range of from approximately 0.5 inch to approximately 3.25inch. The inner tube has an outer diameter that is substantially withina range of approximately from approximately 0.75 inch to approximately3.5 inch. The outer diameter of the inner tube 18 and the inner diameterof the outer tube 20 are preferably selected to provide a relativelynarrow annulus 44 between the two having a width of approximately 0.25inch. An inner surface of the inner tube 18 defines an inner flow path.

An inner surface of outer tube 20 and an outer surface of inner tube 18define an outer flow path. An opening in a distal end of the inner tube18 places the outer flow path in fluid flow communication with the innerflow path. The outer surface of the inner tube 18 is not transparentwith respect to the radiation from the radiation source 14 and ispreferably reflective of the radiation.

The static mixer or helical member 22 is an auger style static mixerthat is affixed to the outer diameter of the inner tube 18, such as bywelding. The mixer 22 extends between the outer wall of the inner tube18 and the inner wall of the outer tube 20 and preferably contacts theinner wall of the outer tube 20. The mixer 22 is preferably stainlesssteel.

Different degrees of winding may be used depending upon desiredcharacteristics of the device 10. In one embodiment the winding providesa liquid travel path of approximately 3.9 inches for each 1 inch ofannulus 44 height. For a treatment chamber 12 in which the height of theannulus 44 area is approximately 60 inches, this would provide a liquidtravel path of approximately 234 inches.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a modular illumination unit 46 is provided, formedfrom two mirror image sections 47. The sections 47 are connected to oneanother by a hinge 49 or in any conventional manner. Each section 47comprises a plurality of bulbs 14, one or more reflectors 48, and abracket 50. The bracket 50 supports and aligns the bulbs 14 and supportsand aligns the reflector or reflectors 48 positioned adjacent to thebulbs 14. The reflector 48 is configured with a curved portion orsegment, such as a semi-circular, hyperbolic, or parabolic shapedportion or segment, associated with each bulb 14, disposed and alignedto reflect and focus radiation emitted from outer portions of the bulb14 back toward the treatment chamber 12. The segments are disposed sothat the reflector 48 is generally clamshell shaped. In that regard, across section of one segment falling in a common plane of a crosssection of an adjoining segment does not form a portion of a commoncircle or semi-circle with the cross section of the adjoining segment,Each cross section is preferably semi-circular, and each cross sectionof a segment has an arc length that is greater than approximately 45°.The inner surface of the reflector 48 is selected to be highlyreflective of the radiation used. For example, if a UV bulb 14 is used,the inner surface is preferably polished aluminum. Each section 47 issecured to its mating section 47 and is secured within the cabinet 66 inany number of ways, such as being secured to a back wall of the cabinetor to brackets disposed within the cabinet 66. In the embodiment shown,one section 47 is disposed toward a back portion of the cabinet 66, anda mating section 47 is disposed toward a front portion of the cabinet 66so that the front section 47 may be easily opened to provide access tothe treatment chamber 12 and to the sections 47 of the illumination unit46. Each section 47 is independently removable without the need toremove an associated treatment chamber or mated section 47. The brackets50 of each section 47 are disposed to place the bulbs 14 in very closeproximity to the outer surface of the outer tube 20. In the embodimentshown, in which the modular concept is used, a separate modularillumination unit 46 is associated with each treatment chamber 12. Anextra or spare modular illumination unit 46 may be provided along withthe device 10. This will reduce down time by making it easy to quicklyreplace an installed unit 46 with a spare unit 46 if the installed unitis in need of repair, maintenance, or replacement.

In an alternate embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 & 4 , one or more bulbracks 52 may be used to support and align a plurality of outer tubes 20of a plurality of treatment chambers 12, along with the bulbs 14 andreflectors 48 to be used with each treatment device 10. As seen in FIG.3 , sets of holes or openings 54 and 56 are provided to support andalign the outer tubes 20 and bulbs 14, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 5 , input and output manifolds 58 and 60 are providedand are disposed to allow for parallel flow of a liquid through aplurality of adjacent treatment chambers 12. The manifolds are providedin a modular arrangement with a first set of associated input and outputmanifold segments 58 a and 60 a, a second set of associated input andoutput manifold segments 58 b and 60 b, and so on for the desired numberof treatment chambers 12 to be used. The length 62 of the each input andoutput manifold 58,60 segment is equal to the distance 64 between theinput opening 32 of the input pipe 30 and the output opening 36 of theoutput pipe 34. This allows each treatment chamber 12 to be quickly andeasily adjusted to provide for either parallel flow as seen in FIG. 5 orto provide for series flow as seen in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 6 shows a plurality of treatment chambers 12 arranged to providefor series flow through a plurality of treatment chambers 12. In thisarrangement, the output opening 36 of an output pipe 34 of a firsttreatment chamber 12 is aligned with an input opening 32 of an inputpipe 30 of a second treatment chamber 12, and so on for the desirednumber of treatment chambers 12.

As shown in FIG. 7 , a UV disinfectant system 6 may include a radiationtreatment device 10 positioned in a cabinet 66 and including relatedcomponents. One or more treatment chambers 12 and sets of associatedbulbs 14, reflectors 48, and input and output manifolds 58,60 are housedwithin the cabinet 66. The cabinet 66 is preferably made primarily ofstainless steel. Other components may be disposed within or positionednear the cabinet 66. For example, a power line 68 may supply power tocontrols 70 and to ballast 72 associated with each bulb 14, which may behoused in the cabinet 66 or separately above the cabinet 66. A fan 74may be provided for cooling the ballast 72 and controls 70, and drainpipes 78 may be provided in the cabinet 66 floor. In the embodimentshown, a separate fan 74 may be associated each modular illuminationunit 46, with the fan 74 disposed to provide a positive pressurecabinet.

It is of course understood that any number of different fan 74arrangements may be used and that one or more fans may be disposed toprovide either a positive pressure cabinet or a negative pressurecabinet. One or more input or output pipes 80, 82, and 84 may beprovided, disposed in lower side walls of the cabinet 66. As best seenin FIG. 8 , outer pipes 80 and 82 are disposed to align with input andoutput manifolds 58 and 60, respectively, to provide a path for parallelflow of liquid through the treatment chambers 12 such as when thetreatment chambers 12 are aligned as depicted in FIG. 5 . The centrallylocated pipes 84 are disposed to align with input and output pipes 30and 34 of the treatment chambers 12 when the treatment chambers 12 arealigned for series flow, such as seen in FIG. 6 .

Referring to FIGS. 5 & 6 , in operation, a plurality of treatmentchambers 12 are aligned as desired to provide for parallel or seriesflow through the desired number of treatment chambers 12. It is ofcourse understood that a single treatment chamber 12 may also be used ifdesired. Once the treatment chambers 12 are aligned as desired and thecabinet doors 86 closed for added protection against exposure to UVradiation, the bulbs 14 are activated to provide UV radiation. Theliquid to be treated is then provided to the device 10 at the desiredpressure and flow rate. It is understood that the device 10 may be usedin connection with most any liquid, including but not limited to clearor opaque liquids such as water, including wastewater, juices, brines,marinades, beverages, and the like.

In parallel flow (FIG. 5 ) the liquid will pass through and fill thedesired number of input manifold segments 58 a, 58 b, 58 c and will passfrom each input manifold 58 segment into an associated treatment chamber12. As best seen in FIG. 1 , the liquid passes through the input pipe30, through the housing 26, and into the annulus 44 between the innertube 18 and outer tube 20. The static mixer 22 routes the liquid in atight spiral pattern along a helical path upward through the annulus 44to an upper portion of the treatment chamber 12. As the liquid passesthrough the narrow annulus 44 in close proximity to the bulbs 14, UVradiation from the bulbs 14 provides the desired degree of disinfection.The use of the auger style static mixer 22 provides for significantmixing and churning of the liquid as it passes upward through theannulus 44 so that different portions of the liquid are constantly beingmoved closer to and further from the bulbs 14. This ensures thorough andeven radiation exposure throughout the liquid and greatly reduces thechances of leaving isolated portions relatively untreated orsignificantly over-treated. The end cap 24 arrests upward flow of theliquid and redirects the liquid to flow downward through the inner tube18. The liquid then passes through the inner tube 18, through the innerheader tube 28, and through the output pipe 34.

If the treatment chamber 12 is aligned to provide for parallel flow(FIG. 5 ), the liquid passes from the output pipe 34 to and through theassociated output manifold 60 segment for further use or treatment. Ifthe treatment chamber 12 is aligned to provide for series flow (FIG. 6), the liquid passes from the output pipe 34 of one treatment chamber 12to the input pipe 30 of another treatment chamber 12 to repeat theprocess described above.

The rugged device 10 may be operated under wide ranges or pressures andflow rates without fear of damaging the device 10. For example, thedevice 10 may be safely operated at a working pressure reaching orexceeding a pressure that is preferably substantially within a range offrom approximately 30 psig to approximately 60 psig and that is morepreferably approximately 57 psig. The device 10 may withstand burstpressures reaching or exceeding a pressure that is preferablysubstantially within a range of from approximately 100 psig toapproximately 300 psig and that is more preferably approximately 286psig. Desired flow rates for many applications will typically be withina range of from approximately 1 gallon per minute to approximately 20gallons per minute. Similarly, desired flow rates for typical clean inplace cleaning will typically be less than or equal to approximately 25gallons per minute. Still, much higher flow rates may be desirable forsome applications, such as for the batch processing of juice. In thebatch processing of juice, it is sometimes desirable to process flowrates reaching or exceeding approximately 70 gallons per minute. Thesystem 6 may be configured to safely process flows rates of up toapproximately 30 gallons per minute, up to approximately 55 gallons perminute, or approximately 80 gallons per minute. A treatment chamber 12typically processes approximately 10 to 12 gallons per minute. Parallelflow is typically used for higher rates.

Other modifications, changes and substitutions are intended in theforegoing, and in some instances, some features will be employed withouta corresponding use of other features. For example, any number oftreatment chambers 12 may be used, from one to several. Similarly, aconfiguration of eight bulbs 14 per treatment chamber 12 may be used,but any number of bulbs 14 may be used in connection with a treatmentchamber 12, from one to several. Also, any number of different types ofmixers 22 may be used in the annulus 44, or a mixer 22 may be omitted.Further, any number of different flow paths may be used, including butnot limited to a flow path that is roughly the reverse of that describedabove. Similarly, strictly series flow may be used, strictly parallelflow may be used, or any number of combinations of series and parallelflows may be used. Also, the header 16 may be disposed in differentlocations, such as at the top of the treatment chamber 12. Similarly,any number of different methods may be used to route the liquid to orfrom the annulus 44 area and to or from the inner tube 18. Althoughbulbs 14 providing UV radiation are preferred, any number of differenttypes of radiation and types of radiation sources 14 may be useddepending upon the desired application. Further, the reflectors 48 maytake any number of shapes, sizes or configurations or may be omitted.

FIGS. 9A & 9B and FIGS. 10A & 10B illustrate additional embodiments of astatic mixer 122 of a treatment device 110 for use with a UVdisinfectant system 106 (see, e.g., FIGS. 11-13 ). Elevated views areshown in FIGS. 9A & 10A. Axial views are shown in FIGS. 9B & 10B. Thestatic mixer 122 may include dimensions similar to those described aboveas modified below with respect to the static mixer 22. The static mixer122 may be positioned within a treatment chamber 112 adjacent to a flowpath of liquid through the chamber 112, an example of which isillustrated in FIG. 11 (arrows).

The static mixer 122 may be structured to create turbulence in liquidflow thereby mixing, e.g., turning over, churning, circulating, orotherwise agitating the liquid to thereby impede laminar flow. Thestatic mixer 122 comprises extensions, referred to herein as vanes 111,located along the outer surface of the inner tube 118. The vanes 111 arepositioned along the flow path and are dimensioned to create turbulenceby impeding a direct flow of liquid through the treatment chamber 112.In particular, the vanes 111 are dimensioned to create turbulence alongthe flow path to prevent laminar flow. Thus, when liquid flows along theflow path between the inner tube 118 and outer tube 120, the liquid maybe exposed to UV light that shines through a transparent portion of theouter tube 120 and into the flow path between the inner tube 118 and theouter tube 120 to act on the flowing liquid. For example, the vanes 111may be dimensioned to create eddies of circulating liquid to disruptlaminar flow and to increase the proportion of the liquid that passesnear the inner surface of the outer tube 120. The intensity of the UVlight drops as the UV light passes through more liquid. So the intensityis greatest, and the disinfecting effect is greatest, closest to theinner surface of the outer tube 120. The rate at which the UV lightintensity drops as it passes through the liquid may vary depending onfactors such as light intensity, liquid composition ortransparency/turbidity, outer tube composition or transparency, flowrate, etc.

The vanes 111 shown in FIGS. 9A & 9B and FIGS. 10A & 10B comprise aplurality of vanes 111 positioned along the height, or longitudinallength, of the inner tube 118 and extend axially into the flow pathbetween the inner tube 118 and outer tube 120 to thereby agitate theliquid as it flows there along under the bulbs 114. The vanes 111 arepreferably formed from materials resistant to corrosion, such asstainless steel, plastics, etc. The inner tube 118 may be formed ofmaterials resistant to corrosion, such as stainless steel, plastics,etc., which may be the same or a different material than the vanes 111.

The vanes 111 extend axially from the inner tube 118 into the flow pathbetween an inner axial end 121 and an outer axial end 123. The vanes 111extend axially into the flow path toward the outer tube 120 but do notextend to the inner surface of the outer tube 120. Rather, a gap 119 isprovided between the outer axial end 123 and the inner surface of theouter tube 120 to create greater turbulence. In other embodiments, thevanes 111 may extend axially to the inner surface of the outer tube 120.The vanes 111 further extend a circumferential distance around the innertube 118 between a first circumferential end 125 and a secondcircumferential end 127. A first face 129 and a second face 131 arepositioned between the inner axial end 121 and the outer axial end 123and the first circumferential end 125 and the second circumferential end127. The vanes 111 may be tilted, e.g., sideways, or spiraled and extendabout half-way around the circumference of the inner tube 118. In otherembodiments, the inner tube 118 may not be a tube, but may be a surfacewithin the chamber 112 that is not a part of a separate tube withrespect to another wall, e.g., the outer tube 120. For example, the flowpath may be defined along a single tube or continuous arrangement ofwalls about the perimeter of the flow path. The vanes 111 may extendinto the flow path from a first portion of the wall toward a secondportion of the wall such that a gap is formed between the vanes 111 andthe second portion of the wall. In one embodiment, the second portion ofthe wall is transparent to UV light.

The vanes 111 in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9A & 9B and FIGS.10A & 10B extend circumferentially around the inner tube 118 about 180°.In other embodiments, the static mixer may include one or more vanes 111that extend less than 180° around the inner tube 118, such as between180° and 135°, between 180° and 90°, between 180° and 45°, between 135°and 90°, between 135° and 45°, between 90° and 45°, or about 170°, about160°, about 150°, about 140°, about 130, about 120°, about 120°, about110°, about 100°, about 90°, about 80°, about 70°, about 60°, about 50°,about 40°, about 30°, about 20°, or about 10. In some embodiments, thestatic mixer may include one or more vanes 111 that extend greater than180° around the inner tube 118, such as between 360° and 315°, between360° and 270°, between 360° and 225°, between 360° and 180°, between315° and 270°, between 315° and 225°, or about 360°, about 370, about350°, about 340°, about 330°, about 320, about 310°, about 300°, about290°, about 280°, about 270, about 260°, about 250°, about 240°, about230°, about 220°, about 210, about 200°, or about 190°.

The vanes 111 may be aligned such that each is positioned along acorresponding circumferential portion of the inner tube 118, as shown inthe embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9A& 9B and FIGS. 10A& 10B. In otherembodiments. The vanes 111 may be offset such that the vanes 111 occupydifferent circumferential portions of the inner tube 118, which mayoverlap along one or more portions of vanes 111 along the longitudinallength of the inner tube 118. The vanes 111 may be progressively offsetsuch that a first vane 111 is positioned along a first circumferentiallength of the inner tube 118, a second vane 111 is positioned along asecond circumferential length of the inner tube 118, adjacent to thefirst with respect to the circumference of the inner tube 118, and athird vane 111 is positioned along a third circumferential length of theinner tube 118, adjacent to the second with respect to the circumferenceof the inner tube 118. The vanes 111 may similarly be offset in astaggered formation with respect to the circumference and longitudinallength of the inner tube 118.

The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9A & 9B and FIGS. 10A & 10Bcomprise mixers 122 including three vanes 111. However, in otherembodiments, any number of vanes 111 may be used. For example, fewer oradditional vanes 111 may be includes such as two vanes 111, four vanes11, five vanes 111, six vanes 111, or more. The vanes 111 may be spacedapart with respect to the longitudinal length of the inner tube 118. Forexample, the vanes 111 may be spaced apart between one foot and tenfoot, one foot and six foot, one foot and three foot, two foot and sixfoot, two foot and three foot, or other distance. The spacing may beequivalent, as shown, or the vanes 111 may be bunched or concentratedalong a longitudinal length of the inner tube 118 relative to one ormore other longitudinal lengths of the inner tube 118. The vanes 111illustrated also include similar dimensions; however, in someembodiments, the dimensions of a first vane 111 may be less than thedimensions of a second vane 111 or a second vane 111 and third vane 111.

The vanes 111 transverse a portion of the flow path adjacent to theinner tube 118 thereby impeding laminar flow or otherwise creatingturbulence. The first face 129 is positioned at a non-perpendicularangle with respect to the direction of flow. In other embodiments, thefirst face 129 may be positioned perpendicular to the direction of flow.In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9A & 9B, the first face 129presents a substantially straight angle surface. In some embodiments,the first face 129 may present a concave or convex surface to impedelaminar flow, as illustrated in FIGS. 10A & 10B. As shown in theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9A & 9B the first face 129 forms anangle with the outer surface of the inner tube 118 that is about 90° orgreater. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10A & 10B, the firstface 129 forms an angle with the outer surface of the inner tube 118that is less than 90° along all or a portion of the circumferentiallength of the vane. In other embodiments, the first face 129 may form anangle with the outer surface of the inner tube 118 that is less than 90°along a first portion of the circumferential length of the vane 111 andgreater than 90° along a second portion of the circumferential length ofthe vane 111. The first face 129 of the vanes 111 shown in FIGS. 10A &10B include a substantially smooth surface extending from the inneraxial end 121 to the outer axial end 123. In other embodiments, thefirst face 129 or the second face 131 may include additional turbulencefeatures, such as bumps, divots, slots, pits, one or more grooves orgroove patterns, or other turbulence producing feature. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9A & 9B, the surface of the first faces129 include turbulence features comprising a plurality of raised bumps133. The bumps 133 may be positioned adjacent to or along the interfacebetween the first face 129 and the outer surface of the inner tube 118.The bumps 133 may be formed by any suitable method. For example, thebumps 133 may be formed by tack welds. In the illustrated embodiments,the second face 131 is positioned at a non-perpendicular angle withrespect to the direction of flow. In other embodiments, the second face131 may be positioned at a perpendicular angle with respect to thedirection of flow. The second face 131 may include a substantially flatangle surface, as shown in FIGS. 9A & 9B, or include a concave or convexsurface, as shown in FIGS. 10A & 10B. The second face 131 shown in FIGS.9A & 9B form an angle with the outer surface of the inner tube 118 thatis about 90° or less. In other embodiments, the second face 131 may forman angle with the outer surface of the inner tube 118 that is greaterthan 90° along all or a portion of the circumferential length of thevane, such in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10A & 10B. In anotherembodiment, the second face 131 may form an angle with the outer surfaceof the inner tube 118 that is greater than 90° along a first portion ofthe circumferential length of the vane 111 and less than 90° along asecond portion of the circumferential length of the vane 111. Thesurface of the second face 131 may further include turbulence featuressuch as bumps, divots, slots, pits, one or more grooves or groovepatterns, or other turbulence producing feature. The bumps may bepositioned adjacent to or along the interface between the second faceand the outer surface of the inner tube 118. The bumps may be formed bytack welds, for example.

The thickness of the vanes 111 in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS.9A & 9B and FIGS. 10A & 10B are about the same from the inner axial end121 to the outer axial end 123. In other embodiments, the thickness mayincrease from the inner axial end 121 to the outer axial end 123. In oneembodiment, the thickness decreases from the inner axial end 121 to theouter axial end 123.

The thickness of the vanes 111 in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS.9A & 9B and FIGS. 10A & 10B are about the same from the firstcircumferential end 125 to the second circumferential end 127. In otherembodiments, the thickness may increase or decrease from the firstcircumferential end 125 to the second circumferential end 127.

The first circumferential end 125 and the second circumferential end 127of the vanes 111 shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 10A & 10Btaper toward the inner tube 118. In other embodiments, one or both ofthe first circumferential end and second circumferential end do nottaper. For example, the vanes 111 shown in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 9A & 9B include defined circumferential ends 125, 127 that extendto the inner tube 128. In one embodiment, a portion of the outer axialend 123 extends axially outward a greater distance than another portionof the outer axial end 123. For example, a portion of the outer axialend 123 adjacent the first circumferential end 125 may extend a greaterdistance axially than a portion of the outer axial end 123 adjacent thesecond circumferential end 127 or along a central portion of the vane111. The first circumferential end 125 adjacent to the outer axial end123 may extend a same, greater, or lesser circumferential length thanthe first circumferential end 125 adjacent to the inner axial end 121.The first circumferential end 125 or the second circumferential end 127may extend axially outward from the inner tube 118 a greater distancethan a central portion of the vane 111 along the outer axial end 123.

FIG. 11 illustrates a UV disinfectant system 106 comprising a treatmentdevice 110, shown in a sectional view, wherein the static mixer 122 ispositioned in a chamber 112 and surrounded by a radiation section 147comprising a plurality of radiation emitting bulbs 114, shown ascomprising UV bulbs. An additional radiation section may be positionedover the illustrated radiation section 147 to encapsulate or surroundthe chamber 112 with UV radiation. The radiation sections 143 may behinged such that two may be separated by pivoting of the hinge along oneside to access the chamber 112 or bulbs 114. The arrows indicatedirection of liquid flow through the chamber 112. Liquid to be treatedis pumped into the chamber through inflow port 113. The liquid is thenflowed along the treatment flow path defined between the walls of thechamber 112. The vanes 11 of the static mixer 122 impede laminar flowalong the flow path. A gap 119 may be formed between the vane 111 andthe adjacent wall of the chamber 112 within the flow path. The gap 119may be defined between the vane 111 and the transparent portion of thechamber wall. As shown, the gap 119 is defined between the outer axialend 123 of the vane 111 and the chamber wall formed by the inner surfaceof the outer tube 120. The static mixer 122 is shown positioned in atreatment chamber 112 having walls comprising coaxially aligned inner118 and outer tubes 120; however, other arrangements may be usedaccording to various embodiments. For example, the static mixer 122 maycomprise vanes 111 extending from the outer tube 120 toward the innertube 118. Gaps 119 may similarly be formed therebetween.

FIG. 12A illustrates a UV disinfectant system 106 comprising a cabinet166 according to various embodiments. FIG. 12B illustrates a view of thesystem 106 with the doors 186 removed. The cabinet 166 houses one ormore treatment devices 10, 110 of the treatment system 106.

The system 106 may include sensors (not shown) configured to senseoperational conditions. Sensor wiring 150 is shown in FIG. 12B; however,in some embodiments, one or more sensors may transmit or receiveoperation data wirelessly. Referring to FIG. 13 providing a schematicillustration of one embodiment of the system 106, the sensors mayinclude one or more air temperature sensors 151 to measure airtemperature within the cabinet 166. The sensors may also include one ormore liquid temperature sensors 153 to measure liquid temperature withinthe chamber 112. The sensors may also include one or more flow meters155 to measure flow rate of liquid pumped through the chamber 112 by oneor more pumps 161.

Referring to FIGS. 12A-13 , the system 196 may include blowers 143 arepositioned to provide circulation or ventilation of the cabinet therebydissipating heat build-up to prevent excessive air temperatures fromdamaging components of the system 106. Blowers 143 may include one ormore fans, pumps, or other devices/structures configured to activelyencourage air to flow from one location to another location. Blowers 143may be positioned at the upper end 135 and lower end 137 of the cabinet166. Ports 141 may extend through the cabinet 166 through which theblowers 143 urge air flow. Wiring 150 may operably couple the blowers143 and sensors 151, 153, 155 with the controller 175. The wiring 150may include a connection 167 to connect to the control panel 171.

The ports 141 and blowers 143 may be positioned with respect to thecabinet 166 to prevent cross circulation issues. In the illustratedembodiment, the system 106 includes two blowers 143 positioned atopposite corners of the cabinet 166, cattycorner across the box atopposite ends. In other embodiments, the ports 141 may be located atother sides of the upper and lower ends 135, 137 of the cabinet, such asalong a back wall, the doors 186, or either the top or bottom wall. Theblowers 143 may be positioned to blow air out of the cabinet 166. Theblowers 143 may be located within the cabinet 166, as shown, or externalto the cabinet 166. Additional ports 141 and blowers 143 may also beused along the upper end 135 and lower end 137 or, in one embodiment,along a middle portion of the cabinet. A vent 139 may extend into thecabinet 166 to provide ventilation. The vent 139 may be positioned alonga wall of the cabinet 166. The vent 139 may be located along an upperend 135 of the cabinet 166, e.g., along a side wall or top of thecabinet 166, along a central portion of the cabinet 166 between theupper end 135 and lower end 133, or along the lower end 135 of thecabinet, e.g., along a lower side wall or bottom of the cabinet 166. Thevent 139 may include louvers to allow the pressure within the interiorof the cabinet 166 to equalize. Thus, air may move into the interior ofthe cabinet 166 through the vent 139 as air is moved out of the interiorof the cabinet 166 by the action of the blowers 143. In one embodiment,an additional blower may be used with the vent 139. Multiple vents 139may also be used. Blower ports 145 are formed through the cabinet 166through which the blowers 143 may direct air. The blowers 143 may bepositioned to move air out of the interior of the cabinet 166 from thelower end 137 and upper end 135, as shown, and the vent 139 may belocated along a middle portion of the cabinet 166 to provide circulationof air through the interior of the cabinet 166 while avoiding crosscirculation across the chamber walls.

The blowers 143 may comprise adjustable speed blowers 143. For example,the speed of the blower 143 may be adjusted to increase or decrease aspeed of the blower 143. The speed may be adjusted by a switch. Theswitch may be operable by manual manipulation, e.g., by a user, at alocation of the blower 143, which may be associated with the blower 143or switchable at a user interface 169 of a control panel 171 or, in oneembodiment, the switch may be operable remotely via an operation of acontroller 175 comprising a user interface 169 accessible to monitor orcontrol operations of the system 106 (see FIG. 13 ). The blower 143 mayfurther comprise a variable frequency drive (“VFD”) blower 143.

With further reference to FIG. 13 , the system may further include acontroller 175 to monitor or control operations of the system 106. Thecontroller 175 may include one or more processors, servers, as well asdatabases, networks or network devices, and peripherals configured toobtain and transmit data and initiate control operations configured toperform in whole or in part the operations of the system 106. As shown,the controller 175 comprises a control module 107, e.g., one or moreelectronic data processors or central processing units having logiccontrol functionalities. The controller 175 further comprises a memoryunit comprising one or more computer readable data storage mediums,e.g., electronic data storage mediums such as recording media,read-only, volatile, non-volatile, semi-conductor based, or other datastorage mediums known in the art. The computer readable storage medium,for example, includes one or more data storage mediums having storedthereon one or more programs or applications comprising software,firmware, or other instructions stored in one or more files executableby the processor of the control module to perform the various operationsand functions of the controller 175. The instructions may include amonitoring program or operating system configured to monitor or controloperations of the system 106 and interface users or access devices 191,which may include interaction with additional applications or service,with the system 106.

The controller 175 may be operationally associated with control andmonitoring operational devices 199 such as actuators, valves, pumps,power switches, etc. for controlling or monitoring operationalconditions of the UV disinfectant system 106. For example, thecontroller 175 may be operationally associated with pumps 161, blowers143, and bulbs 114. The controller 175 may be configured to initiate orotherwise provide control instructions to the UV disinfectant system 106to modulate operations in response to a determination, e.g., to maintainor address non-conforming set points.

As introduced above, the controller 175 includes a controller 175configured to execute a monitoring program 120. The monitoring program120 may include a web application, service, or bundled services in whichvarious interfaces 169 such as local interfaces 187 or remote interfaces185 may interface with the controller 175 and monitoring program. Invarious embodiments, a local interface 187 may include the control panel171. Remote interfaces 185 may include access devices 191 programmed toremotely interface with the controller 175. In at least one embodiment,access devices 191 include a notification device configured to receivenotifications from the controller 175. Remote interfaces 185 mayinterface with the controller 175 in a cloud platform environment. Forexample, the various services or applications may be executed in a cloudenvironment through interaction of the access devices 191 and controller175.

The controller 175 includes a control module comprising a digitalprocessor to route or make available the operation data collected to oneor more computer readable storage mediums or interfaces. The storagemedium, for example, may be accessed by the control module to retrieve,store, or archive operation data, which may include raw, processed, oranalyzed operation data, events, as well as parameter definitions,including rules, statistics, tables, algorithms, or other data used toprocess or analyze data including generating or identifying operationalconditions, as described in more detail below. For example, the storagemedium may include files executable by the controller 175 to perform oneor more aspects of the monitoring program. The controller 175 may beunder the control of the monitoring program configured to interface thefunctionalities of the controller with users and access devices 191. Themonitoring program may include set points, operational conditionidentifications, and analysis parameters, any of which may includecustomizable definitions to fit the desired application. For example,the controller 175 may be operatively associated with one or moreprocesses of the UV disinfectant system 106 to monitor, collect,analyze, process, and/or communicate data indicative of operationalconditions, events, or states as defined by the monitoring program.Example set points that may be defined in the system 106 may include aliquid temperature at the one or more locations within the chamber 112,a flow rate at the one or more locations within the chamber, or anillumination of the bulbs 114. When a set point is found to benon-conforming, e.g., at a threshold level indicating a controloperation the controller 175 may modify an operation of the UVdisinfectant system in response to the non-conforming set pointcondition. For example, the controller 175 may terminate power to thebulbs when the flow meter 155 measures no flow, the air temperaturesensor 151 measures an air temperature higher than an air temperatureset point, the liquid temperature sensor 153 measures a liquidtemperature higher than a liquid temperature set point, or the airtemperature sensor measures an air temperature lower than an airtemperature set point. The controller 175 may also terminate power topump 161 or reduce pump speed when the liquid temperature sensor 153measures a liquid temperature below a liquid temperature set point, orsupply power to the pump 161 or increasing speed of the pump 161 whenthe liquid temperature sensor 153 measures a liquid temperature above aliquid temperature set point. The controller 175 may also be programmedto supply power to the blowers 143 or increase speed of the blowers 143when the air temperature sensor 151 measures an air temperature above anair temperature set point.

The system 106 may comprise one or more networks including networkeddevices, e.g., nodes or endpoints, configured to communicate via wiredor wireless connections. Networks may comprise local, virtual, widearea, cloud/internet area, or internet-based aspects. The networks mayinclude one or more distributed communication networks that may includevirtual hardware, distributed databases, parallel or distributedcomputing schemes, service oriented application architectures, public,private, or hybrid clouds, open architectures or architectures utilizingweb API, web applications, or mashups, and may employ client-server orpeer-to-peer models. The controller 175 may also include a communicationport 183 configured to transmit and receive data, which may betransmitted and received over a network. The communication port 183 mayinclude one or more data ports, communication ports, transmitters,receivers, transceivers, network cards, modems, gateways, routers,switches, firewalls, local, virtual, wide area, cloud/internet area, orinternet-based distributed networks, Ethernet, wireless or wired digitalcommunication devices, telecommunication devices, monitors, speakers,lights, buttons, knobs, or peripherals. The controller 175 may include awired or wireless data or communication port 183 into which a user maycouple a local or remote user access device 191 such as a computer,tablet, notebook, smart phone, mobile communication device, programmingcard, flash drive, memory stick, or special purpose diagnostic,programming, or system administration device. For example, in oneembodiment, the controller 175 includes a data port 181 configured toreceive a data storage device such as a flash drive defining one or moreset points, administrative parameters, or security definitions. In someembodiments, the communication port 183 of the control panel 171provides an access point to user access devices 191 to access themonitoring program and its functionalities.

The controller 175 may include a user interface 169 comprising a controlpanel 171. The panel 171 may be a standalone unit for control of thedevice 110 and associated operations. The control panel 171 may receiveoperation data from the plurality of sensors 177, such as measurementdata from air temperature sensors 151, liquid temperature sensors 153,and flow meter 155. The control panel 171 may include a graphical userinterface 157 for displaying information related to the operation of theUV disinfectant system 106. The control panel 171 also comprises variousperipherals such as selection devices and LED indicators. In oneembodiment, the control panel 171 include a touch screen. The userinterface 169 may be programmed to interface users with the operationsof a monitoring program to view, define, or modify operation conditionsor set points.

The control panel 171 may be located locally with respect to the cabinet166 to provide users with a local access point to the controller 175. Invarious configurations, users may use the control panel 171 to update ormodify set points or query the computer readable storage medium foroperation data or analysis, e.g., to generate or define reports, viewevent logs, historical or projected performance, or real-time operationdata or operational conditions or to initiate collection of real-timeoperation data. The control panel 171 may also allow users to access,define, or modify security features such as permissions or user accesslevels, perform administrative tasks, override automated operations, orinitiate, terminate, or modify operations.

The graphical user interface 157 may include presentation of operationdata. The graphical user interface 157 may also include a touch screeninterface providing local interface 187 with the control panel 171. Auser may access the control panel 171 locally, or remotely in someembodiments, to view the current state of multiple aspects of the UVdisinfectant system in real-time. In one embodiment, the user may selectone of the identified set points to view or change the values definingthe current set points. Typically, it will be preferable to require theuser to establish authorization, e.g., by providing an identification orauthorization code, before allowing the user to modify certain or anyset point definitions or values.

The control panel 171 may be provided on the outside of the cabinet 166or another location associated with the cabinet 166. The graphical userinterface 157 may include LED lights that indicate measurement data fromthe sensors. The control panel 171 may also be configured to trackoperational life of the bulbs 114, which may allow for efficientpreventative maintenance, reducing downtime.

The user interface 169 may also include a remote user interface 185accessible via a network 193. The network 193 may include a local ordistributed network, for example. In one embodiment, the network 193allows users to remotely access the controller 175 via an internetconnection, which may include remote access to the outside control panelLED data. Once accessed by a remote access device 191, a user mayremotely view operational data, such as measurement data, in real time.The access device 191 may be configured with an monitoring/controlapplication or the user may provide an authorization code to access theoperational data, e.g., current or historical operation data, controloperations, or update or define checkpoints. For example, in someembodiments, users accessing the control panel 171 remotely via a remoteaccess device 191 may access the control operations of the control panel171 to, e.g., control power to bulbs 114, control power to or modulatespeed of blowers 143, control power to or modulate speed of pumps 161.In one embodiment, a remote user access device 191 may modify powerdelivery to the bulbs to turn on or turn off the bulbs, changing a speedof operation of the pump 161 to modify a flow rate or temperature of theliquid pumped through the chamber, or changing a speed of one or moreblowers to modify air temperature at one or more locations within thecabinet.

The controller 175 is configured to operatively associate with one ormore sensors 177 positioned to sense, detect, or measure conditions ofthe UV disinfectant system 106 in real-time. The sensors 177 may includeliquid temperature sensors 153, flow meters 155, or air temperaturesensors 151, as described above with respect to FIGS. 12A & 12B. Thesensors 177 may be positioned at one or more locations to detect andobtain operation data associated operational conditions. In variousembodiments, the operation data associated with operational conditionsmay be communicated by the sensors 177, e.g., transmitted, relayed orrouted to, or otherwise obtained by, to the controller 175 in real-time.Transmission of the operation data may be by any manner known in theart, e.g., via wired or wireless communication. For example, in oneembodiment, sensors 177 may be configured to transmit operation data viaa wired or wireless transmitter or transceiver configured to transmitthe sensed operation data to the controller 175.

In one embodiment, the speed of the VFD blower 143 or adjustable speedblower 143 may be dynamically controlled by the operation of thesensors, e.g., via set points defined in the system 106. For example,the controller 175 may be configured with set points defining desiredoperational criteria with respect to air temperature, liquidtemperature, liquid flow rates, power delivery, projected componentoperational life spans, service intervals, etc. When operational datacollected by the sensors 177 or calculated by the controller 175 aredetermined to be non-conforming, e.g., outside of defined set pointssuch as meeting a threshold difference in a set point value, the controlpanel 171 may be configured to take an action defined in the system 106.For example, the strength of the UV and effectiveness of thedisinfection may be monitored by the system 106. In one implementation,the flow meter 155 and liquid temperature sensor 153 may be configuredto provide data to the controller 175, which the controller 175 maycompare to a programmed set point and thereafter terminate power to thebulbs 114 if flow is below a flow set point, e.g., reach a thresholdvalue, such as no flow, or the liquid temperature is above a liquidtemperature set point. Beneficially, turning off the bulbs 114 if thereis no flow or if the temperature of the liquid gets too hot may preventthermal damage to components of the system 106 that could otherwisebring down the whole system 106.

In various embodiments, a liquid temperature sensor 153 may comprise athermocouple to measure the liquid temperature and may comprise a switchthat turns off the pump 161 and power delivery to the bulbs 114 whentemperature rises above a desired temperature. The thermocouple may beutilized to measure the liquid temperature within the chamber 112, whichmay be at one or more locations, e.g., at or adjacent to the inflowport, along the flow path, at or adjacent to the outflow port, along theinner pathway of the inner tube 118, or after the treated liquid hasexited the chamber. The thermocouple may operate in conjunction with theflow meter 155. The thermocouple temperature sensor may also be utilizedto control the speed of the blowers 143, which may be VFD blowers 143.In one embodiment, an air temperature sensor 151 may comprise athermocouple measurement device including a switch to modify operationof the system 106, e.g., terminate power to the bulbs 114 whentemperature rises above a desired temperature, terminate power toblowers 143 or increase blower speed when temperature rises above adesired level, or terminate power to the pump 161 when temperature isbelow a desired temperature, such as when the bulbs 114 are notilluminated.

Other Matters

The foregoing description of various embodiments is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention andits embodiments. Various modifications to these embodiments arepossible, and the generic principles presented herein may be applied toother embodiments as well.

It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that some of theembodiments as described hereinabove may be implemented in manydifferent embodiments of software, firmware, and hardware in theentities illustrated in the figures. The actual software code orspecialized control hardware used to implement some of the presentembodiments do not limit the present invention.

As used herein, a “computer” or “computer system” may be, for exampleand without limitation, either alone or in combination, a personalcomputer (PC), server-based computer, main frame, server, microcomputer,minicomputer, laptop, personal data assistant (PDA), cellular phone,pager, processor, including wireless and/or wireline varieties thereof,and/or any other computerized device capable of configuration forreceiving, storing and/or processing data for standalone applicationand/or over a networked medium or media. For example, variousembodiments may include access devices or be configured to communicate,e.g., transmit data or interface, with the controller and program asdescribed herein.

Computers and computer systems described herein may include operativelyassociated computer-readable memory media such as memory for storingsoftware applications and instructions used in obtaining, processing,storing and/or communicating data. It can be appreciated that suchmemory can be internal, external, remote or local with respect to itsoperatively associated computer or computer system. Memory may alsoinclude any means for storing software or other instructions including,for example and without limitation, a hard disk, an optical disk, floppydisk, DVD, compact disc, memory stick, ROM (read only memory), RAM(random access memory), PROM (programmable ROM), EEPROM (extendederasable PROM), and/or other like computer-readable media.

Some embodiments may be implemented, for example, using amachine-readable medium or article which may store an instruction or aset of instructions that, if executed by a machine, may cause themachine to perform a method and/or operations in accordance with theembodiments. Such a machine may include, for example, any suitableprocessing platform, computing platform, computing device, processingdevice, computing system, processing system, computer, processor, or thelike, and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardwareand/or software. The machine-readable medium or article may include, forexample, any suitable type of memory unit, memory device, memoryarticle, memory medium, storage device, storage article, storage mediumand/or storage unit, for example, memory, removable or non-removablemedia, erasable or non-erasable media, writeable or rewriteable media,digital or analog media, hard disk, floppy disk, Compact Disk Read OnlyMemory (CD-ROM), Compact Disk Recordable (CD-R), Compact DiskRewriteable (CD-RW), optical disk, magnetic media, various types ofDigital Versatile Disk (DVD), a tape, a cassette, or the like. Theinstructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code,compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamiccode, and the like. The instructions may be implemented using anysuitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/orinterpreted programming language, such as C, C++, Java, BASIC, Perl,Matlab, Pascal, Visual BASIC, assembly language, machine code, and soforth. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

It can be appreciated that, in certain aspects, a single component maybe replaced by multiple components, and multiple components may bereplaced by a single component, to provide an element or structure or toperform a given function or functions. Except where such substitutionwould not be operative to practice certain embodiments, suchsubstitution is considered within the scope.

The controller has been illustrated and described as comprising severalseparate functional elements, such as modules or units. Although certainof such modules or units may be described by way of example, it can beappreciated that a greater or lesser number of modules or units may beused and still fall within the scope of the embodiments. Further,although various embodiments may be described in terms of modules orunits to facilitate description, such modules or units may beimplemented by one or more hardware components (e.g., processors, DSPs,PLDs, ASICs, circuits, registers, servers, clients, network switches androuters), software components (e.g., programs, subroutines, logic)and/or combination thereof.

In various embodiments, the control system or application system,including antimicrobial application equipment, may comprise multiplemodules connected by one or more communications media. Communicationsmedia generally may comprise any medium capable of carrying informationsignals. For example, communications media may comprise wiredcommunications media, wireless communications media, or a combination ofboth, as desired for a given implementation. Examples of wiredcommunications media may include a wire, cable, printed circuit board(PCB), backplane, semiconductor material, twisted-pair wire, co-axialcable, fiber optics, and so forth. An example of a wirelesscommunications media may include portions of a wireless spectrum, suchas the radio-frequency (RF) spectrum. The embodiments are not limited inthis context.

The modules or units may comprise, or be implemented as, one or moresystems, sub-systems, devices, components, circuits, logic, programs, orany combination thereof, as desired for a given set of design orperformance constraints. For example, the modules may compriseelectronic elements fabricated on a substrate. In variousimplementations, the electronic elements may be fabricated usingsilicon-based IC processes such as complementary metal oxidesemiconductor (CMOS), bipolar, and bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS) processes, forexample. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, it may be appreciated that termssuch as “processing”, “generating”, “calculating”, “determining”,“analyzing” or the like, refer to the action or processes of a computeror computing system, or similar electronic computing device, thatmanipulates or transforms data represented as physical quantities (e.g.,electronic) within the computing system's registers or memories intoother data similarly represented as physical quantities within thecomputing system's memories, registers or other such informationstorage, transmission or display devices. The embodiments are notlimited in this context. An action such as “identifying” when performedby a computer or computer system may include identification bydetermining, accessing system data, comparisons with system data,instructions, or the like. An action such as initiating may includecausing an event or thing initiated either directly or indirectly. Forexample, initiating may include signaling, providing power orinstructions, physical manipulation, transmission of data, calculationof conditions, or other step resulting in the event sought to beinitiated. Furthermore, an action such as “storing”, when used inreference to a computer or computer system, refers to any suitable typeof storing operation including, for example, storing a value to memory,storing a value to cache memory, storing a value to a processorregister, and/or storing a value to a non-volatile data storage device.

Various embodiments are described and illustrated in this specificationto provide an overall understanding of the composition, function,operation, and application of the disclosed system, apparatus andmethods. It is understood that the various embodiments described andillustrated in this specification are non-limiting and non-exhaustive.Thus, the invention is not necessarily limited by the description of thevarious non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments disclosed in thisspecification. The features and characteristics illustrated or describedin connection with various embodiments may be combined with the featuresand characteristics of other embodiments. Such modifications andvariations are intended to be included within the scope of thisspecification. As such, the claims may be amended to recite any featuresor characteristics expressly or inherently described in, or otherwiseexpressly or inherently supported by, this specification. Further.Applicant reserves the right to amend the claims to affirmativelydisclaim features or characteristics that may be present in the priorart.

Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material identified in thisspecification is incorporated by reference into this specification inits entirety unless otherwise indicated, but only to the extent that theincorporated material does not conflict with existing descriptions,definitions, statements, or other disclosure material expressly setforth in this specification. As such, and to the extent necessary, theexpress disclosure as set forth in this specification supersedes anyconflicting material incorporated by reference into this specification.Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated byreference into this specification, but which conflicts with existingdefinitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in thisspecification, is only incorporated to the extent that no conflictarises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosurematerial. Applicants reserve the right to amend this specification toexpressly recite any subject matter, or portion thereof, incorporated byreference into this specification.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanyingdrawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation.While the systems, methods, compositions, and devices for recycling ofantimicrobial treatment solution have been described and illustrated inconnection with certain embodiments, many variations and modificationswill be evident to those skilled in the art and may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, thesystems, methods, compositions, and devices disclosed herein have beenidentified, adapted to, and designed for food processing use, andparticularly to processing of chicken and other poultry parts. Thosehaving skill in the art will understand upon reading the presentdisclosure that the subject matter may be applied to other processinguses. The disclosure is thus not to be limited to the precise details ofmethodology or construction set forth above as such variations andmodification are intended to be included within the scope of thedisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A UV disinfectant system, the system comprising:a chamber having at least one wall transparent to ultraviolet light anddefining a treatment flow path for liquid to be treated with theultraviolet light, wherein the chamber is defined between an outer wallof an inner tube and an inner wall of an outer tube, the outer tubecomprising the transparent wall; a plurality of ultraviolet lightemitting bulbs positioned external to the chamber, adjacent to thetransparent wall to direct ultraviolet light into the chamber along thetreatment flow path; an inflow port for passage of the liquid to betreated into the treatment flow path; an outflow port for passage of thetreated liquid from the treatment flow path to an outlet of the chamber;a pump for pumping the liquid through the chamber; a static mixerpositioned in the chamber, the static mixer comprising a plurality ofdiscontinuous and axially spaced vanes extending spirally around anouter circumferential portion of the inner tube or an innercircumferential portion of the outer tube and extending into thetreatment flow path, wherein the static mixer is dimensioned to impedelaminar flow along the treatment flow path; and wherein each vane has afirst face and a second face opposite the first face, wherein along afirst portion of the vane, the first face intersects the inner tube atan angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis ofthe inner tube, and along a second portion of the vane, the first faceintersects the inner tube at an angle of greater than 90 degrees withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the inner tube; a cabinet housingthe chamber and bulbs, the cabinet having an upper end and a lower end;a first blower positioned to drive airflow out of the cabinet at thelower end; a second blower positioned to drive airflow out of thecabinet at the upper end; and at least one vent through the cabinet wallbetween the upper end and the lower end of the cabinet.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first blower and the second blower are variablespeed blowers.
 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising atemperature sensor to measure an air temperature in the cabinet.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the first blower and second blower areoperationally coupled to the temperatures sensor such that the speed ofthe first blower and the second blower increase in response to ameasured temperature above a set point temperature.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the first blower and second blower are operationallycoupled to the temperatures sensor such that the speed of the firstblower and the second blower decrease in response to a measuredtemperature below a set point temperature.
 6. The system of claim 5,wherein the temperature sensor is a thermocouple.
 7. The system of claim1, wherein the first blower is located in the lower end of the cabinetand the second blower is located in the upper end of the cabinet.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first blower is positioned to driveairflow out of the cabinet at the lower end in a first direction and thesecond blower is positioned to drive airflow out of the cabinet at theupper end in a second direction, and wherein the first direction isopposite the first direction.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the ventcomprises a plurality of louvers.
 10. A UV disinfectant system, thesystem comprising: a chamber having at least one wall transparent toultraviolet light and defining a treatment flow path for liquid to betreated with the ultraviolet light, wherein the chamber is definedbetween an outer wall of an inner tube and an inner wall of an outertube, the outer tube comprising the transparent wall; a plurality ofultraviolet light emitting bulbs positioned external to the chamber,adjacent to the transparent wall to direct ultraviolet light into thechamber along the treatment flow path; an inflow port for passage of theliquid to be treated into the treatment flow path; an outflow port forpassage of the treated liquid from the treatment flow path to an outletof the chamber; a pump for pumping the liquid through the chamber; astatic mixer positioned in the chamber, the static mixer comprising aplurality of discontinuous and axially spaced vanes extending spirallyaround an outer circumferential portion of the inner tube or an innercircumferential portion of the outer tube and extending into thetreatment flow path, wherein the static mixer is dimensioned to impedelaminar flow along the treatment flow path; and wherein each vane has afirst face and a second face opposite the first face, wherein along afirst portion of the vane, the first face intersects the inner tube atan angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis ofthe inner tube, and along a second portion of the vane, the first faceintersects the inner tube at an angle of greater than 90 degrees withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the inner tube; a cabinet housingthe chamber and bulbs; a first blower positioned to drive airflow out ofthe cabinet at the lower end; a second blower positioned to driveairflow out of the cabinet at the upper end; an air temperature sensorto measure air temperature at one or more locations within the cabinet;a liquid temperature sensor to measure a liquid temperature at one ormore locations within the chamber; a flow meter to measure a flow rateof liquid at one or more locations within the chamber; and a controlleroperable to control operations of the pump, bulbs, and blowers andoperationally coupled to the air temperature sensor, liquid temperaturesensor, and flow meter to receive collected measurement data, thecontroller comprising: a processor, a non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium having instructions stored executable by the processor toperform the operations of the UV disinfectant system, and a userinterface operable to interface users with the controller to viewmeasurement data collected from the air temperature sensor, liquidtemperature sensor, and flow meter and to modify at least one of powerdelivery to the bulbs, blower speed, or pump speed.
 11. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the instructions stored in the non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprise a plurality of set point conditionsdefining preferred operational conditions comprising at least one of (a)an air temperature at the one or more locations in the cabinet, (b) aliquid temperature at the one or more locations within the chamber, (c)a flow rate at the one or more locations within the chamber, or (d) anillumination of the bulbs.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein theinstructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable mediumfurther include instructions to modify an operation of the UVdisinfectant system in response to a non-conforming set point condition.13. The system of claim 10, wherein the non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium has additional instructions stored to modify an operationof the UV disinfectant system in response to a non-conforming set pointcondition which result in the operations comprising terminating power tothe bulbs when at least one of (a) the flow meter measures no flow, (b)the air temperature sensor measures an air temperature higher than anair temperature set point, (c) the liquid temperature sensor measures aliquid temperature higher than a liquid temperature set point, or (d)the air temperature sensor measures an air temperature lower than an airtemperature set point.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium has additionalinstructions stored to modify an operation of the UV disinfectant systemin response to a non-conforming set point condition which result in theoperations comprising at least one of terminating power to pump orreducing pump speed when the liquid temperature sensor measures a liquidtemperature below a liquid temperature set point, or supplying power tothe pump or increasing speed of the pump when the liquid temperaturesensor measures a liquid temperature above a liquid temperature setpoint
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein the non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium has additional instructions stored tomodify an operation of the UV disinfectant system in response to anon-conforming set point condition which result in the operationscomprising supplying power to the blowers or increasing speed of theblowers when the air temperature sensor measures an air temperatureabove an air temperature set point.
 16. The system of claim 10, furthercomprising a control panel associated with the cabinet, wherein the userinterface comprises a local user interface provided on the controlpanel.
 17. The system of claim 10, wherein the user interface comprisesa remote user interface accessible to a remote user device over anetwork, wherein the remote user interface is accessible by the remoteuser device to view measurement data, and wherein the remote userinterface is operable by the remote user device to control an operationof the UV disinfectant system comprising at least one of (a) modifyingpower delivery to the bulbs to turn on or turn off the bulbs, (b)changing a speed of operation of the pump to modify a flow rate ortemperature of the liquid pumped through the chamber, or (c) changing aspeed of one or more blowers to modify air temperature at one or morelocations within the cabinet.
 18. The system of claim 10, wherein thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium has additionalinstructions stored which when executed by the processor keeps track ofan operational life of the bulbs.